Vail, Colorado is an incredible winter destination in Colorado. With its Legendary Back Bowls, European-inspired villages, and expansive amount of skiable terrain, Vail keeps us coming back for skiing and snowboarding time and time again. These are our favorite things to do in Vail during the winter.
Top 8 Things to Do in Vail: Winter Edition
1. Ski and Snowboard the Legendary Back Bowls
Vail is a premiere ski destination with excellent terrain for skiing and snowboarding. For intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, it doesn’t get much better than Vail’s Legendary Back Bowls. We love riding the massive expanse of uninterrupted white powder and dipping in and out of the tree lines along the edges of the bowls. The fluffy Back Bowls are what keep us coming back to Vail year after year.
2. Après-ski
You can’t ski without après-ski! “Après-ski” is a French term that translates to “after ski” and refers to enjoying food and drinks after a day on the slopes. After the lifts close for the day, head to Vail Village or Lionshead Village at the base of the mountain for some post pow refreshments. There are many restaurants in the area that offer happy hour specials. Be sure to check out the Red Lion, a classic Vail pitstop.
3. Snowshoe through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are open year round – sun, rain, or snow! In the winter, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens offer guided snowshoe tours and snowshoe rentals for self-guided snowshoeing on the garden trails. We had a blast snowshoeing for the first time here and exploring the gardens!
4. Sip on Luxe Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate isn’t just for kids. While in Vail, experience luxurious hot chocolate that’s been elevated with upscale ingredients and a dramatic presentation. The Four Seasons and The Sebastian both have their own versions of delicious haute hot chocolate that cannot be missed.
5. Explore and Shop at Vail Village and Lionshead
Walking through Vail Village and Lionshead is like being transported into a fairytale. The Bavarian style architecture and cobblestone streets give Vail its stunning European charm.
During your trip, head to Vail Village and Lionshead for food, shopping, ice skating, and entertainment. With heated cobblestone streets, there’s no ice or snow on the ground to slow you down!
6. Cuddle Up Next to A Fire
There’s nothing quite like getting cozy next to a fire. Many of the slopeside resorts at Vail have fireplaces in the lobby. There are also outdoor fire pits near Vail Brewing Company in Vail Village. Speaking of beer…
7. Drink Local Beer at Vail Brewing Company
Vail Brewing Company is a great spot to grab a local beer after a long day on the slopes. Located right in Vail Village, it’s only a short walk away from Gondola One.
8. Go Ice Skating Outdoors
Head to one of Vail’s two outdoor ice rinks for some magical ice skating in the mountains. The Solaris Plaza Ice Skating Rink is located in Vail Village and the Arrabelle Vail Square Ice Rink is in Lionshead.
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What to Pack for Vail in the Winter
- Hand Warmers and Toe Warmers: My fingers and toes are always cold so I bring Hot Hands Hand & Toe Warmers along for skiing. The hand warmers are little pouches that go inside your gloves or pockets, and the feet warmers are pads that stick right to your toes so they stay in place.
Hot Hands Hand & Toe Warmers (Target | Amazon)
- Ski and Snowboard Socks: Quality ski socks are key for comfort during a long day on the slopes. Jordan and I both wear Smartwool Ski and Snowboard Socks.
Women's Smartwool Ski Socks (Amazon | REI) Women's Smartwool Snowboard Socks (Amazon | REI) Men's Smartwool Ski Socks (Amazon | REI) Men's Smartwool Snowboard Socks (Amazon | REI)
- Waterproof Gloves: Quality, waterproof gloves are important for keeping your hands dry and comfortable. I prefer mittens for the added warmth, while Jordan prefers gloves for more dexterity.
- Snow Helmet: Always wear a helmet. It could save your life.
- Sunscreen: At high altitudes, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen to prevent harsh alpine sunburns.
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (Amazon)
- Lip Balm: Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25 is our go-to lip balm. It helps prevent our lips from getting wind chapped and sunburnt while skiing.
Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25 (Target | Amazon)
- Neck Gaiter or Balaclava: Wearing a gaiter or balaclava can help keep your neck and face warm while skiing. I prefer fleece gaiters, like the Buff Polar Multifunctional Headwear, over wool gaiters.
Buff Polar Multifunctional Headwear (REI | Amazon)
- Boots for Après-ski: After a day on the slopes, I like take off my ski boots and swap to more comfortable boots for après-ski and walking around town.
- Ski/Snowboard Bag and Boot Bag: We often fly Southwest which allows for free checked ski and snowboard equipment in place of 1 of the 2 free checked bags. Bringing our own gear is much less expensive than renting, so we purchased snow equipment bags and have been using them for years. Our bags are unpadded, so we wrap padding (or some good old fashioned towels) around our equipment inside the bags to help protect against prevent bumps and nicks. We haven’t experienced any issues over the years, but if you have invested in more expensive ski equipment, a padded bag like this one may be preferred.
High Sierra Ski Bag & Ski Boot Bag (Amazon) Athletico Snowboard Bag & Boot Bag (Amazon)
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Vail Lodging
Stay slopeside in Vail for the ultimate luxury experience. If you’re on a budget, hotels and lodging rentals tend to be less expensive near Silverthorne about 30 minutes east of town. Silverthorne is centered between Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone. If you stay near Silverthorne and want variety, you could easily ski or snowboard at other nearby resorts during your trip as well.
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Enjoy your trip to Vail this winter! For more inspiration for Colorado trips, visit our Colorado travel guide.
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